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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"